Profits at U.S. banks jumped almost 37 percent for the October-December period, reaching the highest level for a fourth quarter in six years as banks continued to step up lending. The figures are fresh evidence of the industry's sustained recovery more than four years after the financial crisis.

Last week, Florida Atlantic University announced plans to sell its stadium naming rights to GEO Group, a privately-owned prison corporation with an spotty reputation. But it'll hardly be the first time someone put a questionable name on large sports venue.

Today brings what seems like a minor milestone in the big banks' fall from grace: a Bloomberg editorial announcing that Wall Street's largest firms would not be profitable without taxpayer backstops, and calling for an end to the perverse incentives that this arrangement produces.

When the financial crisis hit, Washington chose to rescue America's biggest banks, lest their failure crush the economy. Now, "too big to fail" has morphed into "too big to jail," and letting them remain that way isn't good for the economy -- or the banking industry.

When smart investors consider a stock, they look at profit margins, revenue growth, and a raft of ratios to decide if it's a good buy. But beyond those measurements, here's a subtle and simple guideline that can give you real insight about a company's prospects: How honest is its management?

Investors will hear from leaders in the banking industry this week, when Bank of America, Citigroup, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley report quarterly results. Bank stocks outperformed the broader market last year, but that trend may not last in 2013.

From eBay stepping up with its latest financials to Facebook showing off its latest clever ideas, there will be plenty of news breaking in the coming days. Here's a rundown of what's likely to shape the week ahead on Wall Street.

Botched product launches, plunging stock values, massive layoffs, unhappy workers and poor customer service: These are just some of the woes that can win a business a spot on the 24/7 Wall St. list of the 10 most hated companies in America.

Ten major banks and mortgage companies have agreed to pay $8.5 billion to settle complaints that they wrongfully foreclosed on homeowners. Under the settlement, people who were wrongfully foreclosed on could receive from a few hundred dollars up to $125,000.

On Cyber Monday, U.S. consumers are expected to empty their wallets of more than $1 billion, Merchants are offering some of their best deals, and it's time to take advantage. Here are a few strategies that should help you land the lowest prices.

To keep interest rates at rock-bottom lows and boost the economy, the Federal Reserve is buying $40 billion a month in mortgage-backed securities, and it'll keep buying them for as long as it takes to get the economy back on track. Here's how that plan should affect your personal economy.

Holiday shopping season kicks off next week with Black Friday's big sales, but you don't fight through the throngs to snag savings: Here are four ways the best shopping rewards credit cards can save you a small fortune.

Ah, that innocent age when our biggest beef with Europe centered on freedom fries. This election week, no one was asking "where's the beef?" with Wendy's, with the coiner of that iconic phrase bucking a brutal tape to gain 3.05%.

The sudden resignations of Citigroup CEO Vikram Pandit and COO John Havens, a day after the bank reported a purportedly good quarter, raise questions about the future strategy for Citigroup. So what might change under new CEO Michael Corbat?

Vikram Pandit abruptly stepped down as CEO of Citigroup on Tuesday after steering the bank through the 2008 financial crisis and the choppy years that followed. Also resigning: President and Chief Operating Officer John Havens. Citigroup offered no explanation for the sudden departures.

Despite ultra-low mortgage and savings interest rates, the average credit card rate is still high, and has barely budged over the past year. That's not so lucky for you as a spender -- but it could guide you to a windfall as an investor.

Morgan Stanley and Citigroup settled a dispute Tuesday over the value of the brokerage firm Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, which they jointly own. The deal clears the way for Morgan Stanley to buy Citigroup's 49 percent interest in the broker, giving Morgan Stanley full ownership.

Robo-signing isn't just for mortgages anymore. Credit card banks suing their customers for what they're allegedly owed are showing up to most court hearings with flawed and improper documents, incomplete records, and cookie-cutter testimony.

Maybe if we called it "2B2F," it would have been more popular. But lacking the street cred of a cool nickname, the idea "too big to fail" is beginning to lose popularity in America -- even among some of the country's most famous bankers

Low interest rates may be great for borrowers, but they're terrible for savers. Bank accounts on average are paying around half a percent -- which doesn't even keep up with inflation. What to do? Turn to banks on the Internet.

The Capital One Financial settlement with U.S. regulators over deceptive marketing of credit card "add-on products" means a lot to all consumers, not just Capital One customers, according to consumer advocates.

Wall Street's big banks paid out $156 billion last year in salaries, bonuses, and benefits. Yet while investment bankers' checking accounts were growing, their retirement savings took a massive hit -- and much of the reason can be traced to one common investing mistake.

The incredible LIBOR rate-rigging scandal is huge, and it's only going to grow in scope: Many of the world's largest banks have already been implicated in manipulating interest rates that are tied to some $800 trillion in loans and securities.